England’s batting woes continued as they were bowled out for 222 in the third and final ODI against New Zealand in Wellington on Saturday. With the hosts already leading 2-0, New Zealand are now well poised to complete a clean sweep.
England’s top order once again failed to fire, collapsing to 44-5 inside 11 overs. Seamer Blair Tickner starred with the ball, taking 4-64 for the second consecutive game, while Zakary Foulkes (2-27) and Jacob Duffy (3-56) did early damage with the new ball.
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Jamie Overton provided the only real resistance for the tourists, scoring a fighting 68 — his maiden ODI half-century — before being the last man out in the 41st over. Brydon Carse smashed 36 off quick deliveries, and captain Jos Buttler added a steady 38.
England’s top four managed just 84 runs combined across the three-match series — the lowest aggregate by a top four in any men’s ODI series where a team batted at least three times. They were bowled out for 223 and 175 in the previous two defeats, failing to play out their 50 overs in any match.
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